Timex's new Ironman smartwatch does data without a smartphone

Timex just added a new entry to its Ironman line of GPS watches, 'cept it's not just any ole timepiece this time -- it's a 3G-connected smartwatch that doesn't even need to pair up with a phone. The company calls it the Ironman One GPS+, and while it may have features commonly found in a smartwatch, it was made mostly for athletes like its predecessors. It has the capability to upload your run data to a fitness website with one tap, for instance, and you can even assign contacts to monitor your run in real time. One version also comes with a heart monitor a la Samsung Gear Fit and a chest strap, but unlike the ordinary one that costs $399 (which is already steep, as other smartwatches today cost around $200), it'll set you back $450.

Other than these health-focused features, the One GPS+ also has a built-in messaging app where friends can contact you through a special email address. And, in case of an emergency, there's an SOS button you can press that alerts friends and family with your location. The ruggedized watch (designed to be water resistant for up to 150 feet) comes with 4GB of storage for music, which can only be heard through a Bluetooth headset. Its battery can last up to 8 hours with the GPS on, and up to three days without. These capabilities might be enough for people who don't want to be inundated with notifications on their wrists, but those who yearn for more may want to look at alternatives (like Android Wear devices) instead.

Timex's answer to the LG G Watch, Pebble and HP Gilt, among many other smartwatches out there, was made in partnership with AT&T and Qualcomm, with the former providing free 3G access for a year. Timex didn't say how much the mobile internet service will cost after that. Qualcomm, on the other hand, will supply the the chipset, the Brew platform and the low-power 1.5-inch Mirasol display that it showcased a year ago through the Toq smartwatch. The company doesn't exactly have a shipping date in mind yet, but you can already pre-order the One GPS+ through Timex's website.